When comparing Manduka eKO vs Aurorae Classic Extra Thick, the Slant community recommends Aurorae Classic Extra Thick for most people. In the question“What are the best eco-friendly yoga mats?”Aurorae Classic Extra Thick is ranked 2nd while Manduka eKO is ranked 3rd. The most important reason people chose Aurorae Classic Extra Thick is:

The Aurorae Classic is firm, eco-friendly, and provides a good grip in dry conditions. Aurorae has great customer service, and give a 2 year warranty on all mats.

Ranked in these QuestionsQuestion Ranking

Pros

Pro

Great for taller people

The mat is longer than standard, giving taller people plenty of room.

Pro

Stays flat

The mat rolls out flat every time, and doesn't maintain a curl at the ends.

Pro

Good for dry conditions

The Manduka eKO has a textured surface that repels sweat. This makes it good for use in dry conditions, because the sweat will sit on the surface of the mat, causing it to be more slippery than open-cell mats (open-cell surfaces absorb moisture). The closed-cell surface on the Manduka is easier to clean and reduces the risk of accumulating bacteria in its pores.

Pro

Everything you need in a yoga mat for an affordable price

The Aurorae Classic is firm, eco-friendly, and provides a good grip in dry conditions. Aurorae has great customer service, and give a 2 year warranty on all mats.

Pro

Biodegradable

Pro

Best used in dry conditions

Aurorae does provide a bag of non-slip rosin to improve the grip for use in wet conditions, but you will have to reapply it throughout your workout. When used in dry conditions, it provides good traction with both the floor and your hands and feet.

Pro

Comfortable

The Aurorae Classic Extra Thick is 1/4" thick, which provides great support for your knees and joints, while being firm enough to provide good support.

Ad

Cons

Con

Rubber smell

The rubber smell on this mat is most felt right out of the box, but it can be aerated and will dissipate after a few uses.

Con

Very heavy

Not easily portable as 8 lbs is a lot to be carrying around, especially if you have other stuff to carry (like a gym bag or a laptop).

Con

Not great for very sweaty/ wet conditions

You can use the rosin to make it less slippery, but if that's something that you'll be frustrated by, you should consider getting a rubber mat.

Alternative Products

Each month, over 2.8 million people use Slant to find the best products and share their knowledge. Pick the tags you’re passionate about to get a personalized feed and begin contributing your knowledge.